Victor and his men had been waiting outside the factory. Since Winona's arrival, he'd remained vigilant, intimately familiar with her plan. He intended to intervene at the optimal moment to rescue Yvette, maximizing the impact. Yvette's influence would make securing their gratitude invaluable. However, he hadn't foreseen the driver calling the police, jeopardizing everything.

Glancing at his watch, Victor decided to act. His phone rang—Rebecca. "Rebecca. Did everything go smoothly?"

Rebecca's voice was calm, emotionless. "Yes," she replied softly. "He tampered with the car, as you predicted. But he took the hit. The doctors say he'll never fully recover. He's conscious, but that's all."

Rebecca spoke with chilling detachment. She'd long since lost faith in her father, especially after discovering his alliance with Winona in their twisted plot, willing to sacrifice his own son. She couldn't comprehend how a father who had cared for Victor could betray him so.

In the car, Victor's expression darkened. He'd given Robert a chance; Robert had squandered it. "Thank you, Rebecca. I'll join you afterward. Keep Mom and Grandpa calm."

After hanging up, Rebecca rubbed her temples, exhausted. She looked down at Robert, staring at the ceiling, his eyes his only mobile feature. "If only you hadn't pushed things this far…" she murmured. Robert's eyes widened slightly, a tremor passing through him. Rebecca marveled at Victor's maturity; in a few short months, he'd orchestrated events so skillfully that Robert, not he, lay incapacitated. It was fate—a Carter family curse, forever entangled in self-destruction.

Victor addressed his men. "Stay sharp. Be ready to act." They nodded, poised for action. He couldn't afford delays; if the police rescued Yvette and Zachary first, his plan would fail.

Inside, Winona's hand trembled as she aimed her gun, weakened by stomach pain. She glared at Zachary, standing between her and Yvette, refusing to yield. If he chose to die for Yvette, she'd grant his wish. She pulled the trigger.

Zachary closed his eyes, accepting his fate. But a split second before impact, he heard a shout of "Fool!" and was violently pulled aside. He opened his eyes to see Yvette, a silver gun aimed precisely at Winona's weapon. Yvette's bullet met Winona's in mid-air; both fell harmlessly. Yvette's second shot hit Winona's hand. Winona screamed, her gun falling as she crumpled, disbelief and terror etched on her face.

The factory doors burst open; Victor and his team entered. He surveyed the scene. Winona's men lay unconscious, bleeding, their defeated bodies creating a palpable tension. His gaze fell on Yvette, radiating authority and quiet strength. He understood; some were born to command.

Yvette, noticing Victor, raised her gun slightly, its barrel aimed at his chest. Her eyes were icy, suspicious. Zachary rushed to her side. "Are you alright, Yvette?"

Yvette shook her head. "I'm fine. She couldn't hurt me." Zachary relaxed, then looked at Victor, questioning his presence.

Victor approached politely. "Mr. Chambers, Ms. Zeller, my apologies for the delay. I only recently learned of Winona's intentions. I'm relieved you're safe."

Zachary replied with a curt "Thank you."

Winona, seeing Victor, scrambled up, ignoring the blood staining her dress. "Victor, did you come to save me?"

Before Zachary could respond, Victor cut her off. "Mr. Chambers, I have nothing to do with Winona. The Carter family will not protect her for such a heinous act." He didn't look at Winona; his gaze remained on Yvette.

Winona's composure shattered. In desperation, she reached for her gun. Victor shouted, "Watch out!"

Layla, startled awake, saw Victor fire. The bullet struck Winona in the chest. She stumbled, clutching her chest, disbelief on her face, before collapsing. Layla fainted again.

Victor approached Winona, his disdain evident. Winona, shivering, whispered, "Why…why would you do this to me? I'm carrying your child."

Victor's voice was chilling. "Why didn't I die in the trap you and Robert set? Why claim the child is mine when it's my father's? Why seduce my father? Do you really need to ask?"

Winona's eyes widened. With a bitter cough, she choked out, "I did nothing wrong." In her final moments, betrayal flashed before her: a manipulative mother, a father who wasn't her own, a grandfather who traded her, and a deceitful boyfriend. The world was wrong, not her. Her eyes closed; she took her final breath.

Victor looked down at her lifeless body, silent. To the end, she remained unrepentant.